1855 "The United States of America" by J. H. Colton

This is an attractive 19th century map of the United States. Published in 1855 by Joseph H. Colton in New York, this map details the area from the southern border of Canada, labeled here as “British Possessions,” to the northern border of Mexico and the Bahama Islands, with its main focus on the United States. The map is a wonderful snapshot of the United States during a time of significant growth, exploration, and development. This map was published in 1855; after the Mexican-American War and during the height of the California Gold Rush. As such, there is significant detail in the early western territorial boundaries, making this map very interesting. In the west, Washington and Oregon Territories extend to a huge Nebraska Territory, meeting at the Continental Divide. Nebraska Territory in turn extends to the Missouri River where it borders a large Minnesota Territory. Utah Territory spans from California east to join Nebraska and “Kanzas” along the Rocky Mountains and Continental Di